Uconn

Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma, second from left speaks with players Kelly Faris, left, Bria Hartley, second from right, and Caroline Doty, right, during the second half of a first-round game against Idaho in the women's NCAA college basketball tournament in Storrs, Conn., Saturday, March 23, 2013. Connecticut won 105-37. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

STORRS — UConn freshman forward Breanna Stewart took part in a full practice without incident Sunday and should be fine tonight to make her first NCAA Tournament appearance after missing the Huskies' first-round game with a calf injury.

"I'm really excited," Stewart said. "It was kind of on pause (Saturday), but I'm excited to just really get back out on the court because it's been a while since I personally played in a game."

Stewart said she her calf, which she injured Friday going up for a rebound during practice, feels better and she is ready to roll. In fact, she said if the team's medical staff or coaches try to tell her that she shouldn't play she is going to try to convince them she is fully ready.

Coach Geno Auriemma said Stewart is a very tough kid. He said he will wait to see how she feels today, but he plans to play her tonight.

"It's not the first time she's been hurt and this is not the first time that she's tried to fight through something that I've seen other kids not be able to fight through," Auriemma said. "Stewie avoids the training room like all the great players do. She's also a very competitive kid … So I don't have any problems that when Stewie says, 'I'm good to go' that she's good to go."

Same points, different mentality: Last season in the NCAA Tournament first-round win over Prairie View State, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 22 points for her ninth game of the season with 20 points or more. She didn't score 20 in any game for the rest of the tournament.

She's confident this season will be different. She scored 22 points in Saturday's first-round win over Idaho for her 10th game of 20 or more points this season.

"It was the No. 16 seed, but at the same time, I am just trying to build confidence just like every other player," Mosqueda-Lewis said. "I needed it so that I can keep going and do well in the rest of the tournament. I feel like I am a different player with more confidence, just due to the fact that I am looking to score more in different ways. I am moving. I am trying to get my teammates open through my aggressiveness. My mentality has just changed."

Taking heed: If there is one thing that Notre Dame has shown over and over again now with regard to UConn is that if you don't let the name on the front of the jersey beat you before you play the Huskies you have a much better chance to win.

"Notre Dame didn't really care who UConn was, and they just played their game and didn't worry about any of the rivalry or any of the hype," Vandy point guard Jasmine Lister said. "I think we can do that, too, just not worry about who they are and focus on what we can do."

At the same time, Vanderbilt head coach Melanie Balcomb said her team won't shy away from the underdog role.

"There is no formula," Balcolm said. "It is just the fact that I like a challenge. I like to be an underdog. So my teams will reflect that. They like a challenge and they like to be the underdog. I have to prepare them mentally probably more than physically. I mean physically, we are who we are right now. But I have to prepare them to come in here and not already be beaten. I think most of the teams that play UConn and Tennessee are already beaten before they step on the floor."

Idol for a day: Despite the fact that Auriemma's team beat him by 68 points, Idaho coach Jon Newlee was still feeling gracious after Saturday's game.

"It is beyond respect what I feel for Geno and what he has done for women's basketball," Newlee said. "I feel like in a way he is like the James Naismith of women's basketball, of modern women's basketball. He has taken it to such a level. You hear UConn anywhere and you think women's basketball excellence, national championships and everything he has done. It is amazing what he has done.

"Honestly, it is like you are on the floor with John Wooden," Newlee said. "That is what he has done in the women's basketball game. It was cool. It was cool looking down there and seeing him coaching. I was like, 'Yeah, there he is. There's Geno down there, and I'm down here.' It was a great experience."

Auriemma made light of the comparisons, by poking fun at himself.

"As if like I'm dead or I have no personality? So at any point did he mention any guys who are still living?" Auriemma said. "This was after I told the guys at Max's to have some drinks for him when he got there."

He said he tries not to take seriously what others say about him, but he appreciates the kindness.

"I'm glad I progressed from whatever I was called last Monday after the Notre Dame game to Dr. Naismith and John Wooden," Auriemma said. "But I don't think anybody thinks in those terms. I am not naïve enough to think that those two people could ever be emulated. It is nice that people think that what you do is pretty special. It is flattering obviously. He didn't have to say it. I'm flattered."

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